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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br />DATE: February 3, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 87 <br />PLACE: Council Room <br />Ben Franklin Building <br />333 Kilauea Avenue, 2nd Floor <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 3:10 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 87, reports as follows: <br />Communication No. 87, transmitted by Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated January 6, 2009, submits for <br />confirmation the appointment of Mr. Arthur Taniguchi of Council District 2 to the County of <br />Hawaii Water Board. <br />Mr. Taniguchi is a lifelong resident of Hawaii. He is a Senior Vice-President and the Regional <br />Manager at the Bank of Hawaii, where he has been employed since 1991. Mr. Taniguchi's <br />community service includes membership with-the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, <br />Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and Crimestoppers Hilo, Inc. <br />Mr. Taniguchi states that he is not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed, he will serve <br />a term to end on December 31, 2013. Mr. Taniguchi will be replacing Mr. Thomas Goya, whose <br />term ended on December 31, 2008. <br />Council Member Emily Naeole moved to close file and approve Mr. Taniguchi's appointment. <br />The motion was seconded by Council Member Brenda Ford. Your Committee expressed <br />uncertainty with aspects of Mr. Taniguchi's appointment. Council Chair J Yoshimoto moved to <br />postpone the matter until such time these unspecified uncertainties could be addressed. Council <br />Member Ford seconded the motion. Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida expressed concern that <br />Mr. Taniguchi's appointment was not going to be approved. Mr. Ashida informed your <br />Committee that if the matter was not acted upon by the Council by February 21, 2009, <br />Mr. Taniguchi would be confirmed automatically. <br />Your Committee members discussed the timing of appointments, expressing dismay at the <br />seemingly short period of time between receipt of nomination letter from the Mayor, and the <br />deadline for Council action. Mr. Ashida informed your Committee members that there is a <br />forty-five (45) day window, from receipt of the Mayor's nomination letter (as evidenced by the <br />time-stamp on the letter), and the deadline for Council action. <br />PC Report 5 <br />